President Donald Trump responded Thursday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's letter suggesting they reschedule his State of the Union address by informing Pelosi that an apparent trip she had planned to "Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed" while the government shutdown continues.
Pelosi had been scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon when the President canceled use of the military aircraft, according to two White House officials.
Another source said she is still at the Capitol but was supposed to depart in the afternoon.
The administration "worked with the Air Force and (the Defense Department) and basically took away the rights to the plane from the speaker," one White House official said.
The White House released Trump's letter to Pelosi, a day after she had sent the President a letter suggesting they reschedule his planned State of the Union address scheduled for later this month until the government shutdown is resolved.
"Due to the Shutdown, I am sorry to inform you that your trip to Brussels, Egypt, and Afghanistan has been postponed," Trump wrote Pelosi on Thursday. "We will reschedule this seven-day excursion when the Shutdown is over."
The President of the United States has the authority to direct the Defense Department to not use military assets to support a congressional delegation to military theaters. This support includes air transport and additional security procedures. #rp excerpt @cnn #titfortat#pelosi#45#thehoodreporter